Life as we know it is busy, sometimes we are so caught up with work that we don't even have time to take a break. Our mind and body needs rest and relaxation. Unwinding with a cup of green or herbal tea is pure bliss. These teas have been studied for their numerous benefits which include weight loss, skin health and antioxidant properties (with flavonoids and cathecins).

Tea contains B vitamins, Vitamin C, K and Carotene. Vitamin B6 is involved in metabolism of proteins. Vitamin C helps in wound healing and fights against infections. Carotene gets converted to Vitamin A after digestion which maintains healthy skin and eyes. Vitamin K helps with blood clotting. Tea also contains folic acid which helps generate new red blood cells.

Minerals found in tea like manganese helps in growth, potassium is essential for a normal heart rhythm and zinc helps in wound healing.

GREEN TEA

Known for its antioxidant properties, green tea is rich in polyphenols. Asians have been tea drinkers for centuries and not without good reason. They were aware of its beneficial properties for health.

• Green tea is a more potent antioxidant than black tea by 6%, this is because the leaves are not oxidised. Tea leaves are lightly steamed which preserves their nutritional value. The antioxidant value may help reduce the risk of certain cancers of the gastrointestinal tract.
• Green tea also helps in lowering bad cholesterol (LDL) levels.
• On-going research shows that green tea helps maintain a normal blood pressure when it is already in a healthy range. It also lowered blood sugar. Regular drinkers showed fewer spikes in sugar levels.
• Green tea contains cathecins; these are antibacterial and antiviral agents. This is one reason why it helps to have a cup of steaming hot tea during monsoons and winters. This boosts the body's immune system and limits diarrhoea caused by infections.
• Some people swear that green tea helps lose weight if included it as part of a healthy diet. Balanced diet with regular exercise is a must. Green tea boosts weight loss as it increases energy expenditure and its thermogenic properties help in fat burning. However just gulping cups of green tea without healthy changes in diet or lifestyle has no benefits. Consuming more than 2-3 cups of any kind of tea causes dehydration which can be mistaken for hunger causing the caloric intake to increase unnecessarily.

WHITE TEA

White tea differs from green tea as the way it is processed is different. Green tea is dried using high temperatures. White tea is dried using sunlight or indoors. This helps preserve the polyphenols. This methodology is healthier as it keeps the antioxidants three times more potent. The cost of white tea is also more expensive than green tea. There are also various grades of white tea; the price varies according to the grade. White tea should not be boiled at high temperatures, it is better to steep the tea leaves in warm water, this retains their nutritional benefits. This method also gives a pleasant taste and aroma.